Extensible metallic awning structure



March-25,1958 D. w. SILVER 2,827,954

EXTENSIBLE METALLIC AWNING STRUCTURE Filed March 2; 1956 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 i '\g i INVENTOR. DAV! D W. SI LVEIE.

BY v

A-r-rorzuevs D. W. SILVER EXTENSIBLE METALLIC AWNING STRUCTURE March 25, 1 958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1956 INVENTOR.

DA\I\ D w. StLVE 2' ATTORNEYS n. w. SILVER EXTENSIBLE METALLIC 'AWNING STRUCTURE I March 25, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2, 1956 Jig-9 INVENTOR. DAWD w. aware A'r-rozNsva United States Patent EXTENSIBLE METALLIC AWNING STRUCTURE David WQSilver, Marietta, Ga.

Application March 2, 1956, Serial No. 569,149

5 Claims. (Cl. 160-22) This invention relatesto awnings, and more particularly has reference to an awning of the "metal slat type, so designed as to permit folding of the slat structure in a small housing, recessed in the wall on which the awning is mounted, when the awning is not in use, with said awning automatically extending'the slat assembly responsive to swinging of the arms of the awning outwardly from the building wall.

It is not new, and of itself, to provide in an awning a slat assembly, wherein the several slats may in efiect be folded into a compact, small assembly when the awning is not in use, with said'slats shifting into extended, overlapping relationship to provide a shield from the'sun, rain, etc. when the awning is extended.

However, those awnings previously devised along this line of which Ihave knowledge have required, in every instance, that the user manually eifect the extension or retraction of the awning, by operation of flexible draw elements or the like. One important object of the present invention, in this regard, is to provide, in at least one form of the invention, a construction wherein the awning will be automatically extended and retracted responsive to opening and closing, respectively, of a window shielded by the awning. In this way, it is proposed to automatically provide'awning protection for the window opening in each and every instance when said window is open, with the user being required to do no more than open and close the window in the conventional way.

A further object of importance is to provide an awning assembly of the type referred to wherein the linkage between the window and the awning proper can be disengaged, so-as to permit opening and closing of the window, or extension and retraction of the awning, independently of one another. r

A further object of importance is to so design the awning structure as to cause the slat assembly thereof to be wholly retracted within a recess provided in the building wall, with said recess being automatically closed each time the awning is retracted, and being automatically opened, for extension of the slat assembly therefrom whenever the awning is to be extended.

Still another objectis to provide a slat assembly for anawning of the type referred to which will be novelly designed, so as to include spring means aiding in return of the awning to a retracted position, with said spring means further serving as a support for the several slats of the structure.

Still another object of importance is to provide an awning wherein the awning can be associated with a previously installed window, merely by installation of a suitable awning-extending and retracting linkage readily connectable to a window of the outwardly swinging or so called awning type.

Still another object of importance is to provide an awning ofthe nature described which will be particularly designed to afiord maximum protection for the window opening, whenever said window is opened, with the awning being extended a maximum distance when the window "ice 2 is opened to its maximum extent, and beingextended correspondingly smaller distances when the window is opened for smaller distances.

Still another object of importance, in another form of the invention, is to provide an awning having a retractable, normally recessed slat assembly, which awning can be readily associated with windows of the double hung type.

Other objects will appear from the following description,the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a window equipped with an awning formed according to the present invention, portio'ns "of the window and awning being broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the slat assembly on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure Sis a side elevational view of the awning and Window structure, aportion of the slat assembly casing being broken "away, said awning being shown in retracted position;

Figure 6 is a view'similar to Figure 5 in which the awning has been extended responsive to the opening of Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view longitudinally through the slat assembly casing, on line 77 of Figure 6,o'nly portion of said casing being shown;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale, of the slat assembly per se;

Figure '9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a modified construction, applied to a window of the double hung type; and

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view on line 10-10 of Figure 9, the dotted lines showing the awning extended. v

Inthe'formof the invention shown in Figures 1-8, there is illustrated a buildingstructure S, such as the wall of'a house, having a window opening in which is mounted a vertically elongated, stationary window frame 12. Frame 12 is of rectangular outer configuration, and can be formed entirely om metal bar stock, having a 'T shaped cross section as shown in Figure 2.'

In the lower portion of the frame 12 there is mounted a permanently closed or removable pane 14, and immediately above said'pane 14 there is provided an. outwardly swinging sash 16, the frame of which is of T- shaped cross section as shown in Figure 2. Extending transversely of th'e sa sh frame 16, medially between its ends, is a divider or reinforcing bar 18, and the two openings defined at opposite sides of the bar 18 are closed by panes or glasses 2'0.

Fixedly secured to and projecting outwardly from the oppositesides of the sash frame 16, at the upper end thereof, are pivot brackets 22, and pivotally connected at '24 to said brackets is an awning arm shifting link 26. As shown in Figure l, a pair of said links is provided, at each side of the window, and it will be understood that all movable partsof the awning extending and retracting linkage will be similarly'paired.

Fixedly secured to the upper end of the swinging sash 16, at opposite sides thereof, are rearwardly, outwardly projecting trunnions 28 (Figure 2), loosely slidable in verticalguide channels 30 secured to the opposite sides of the window frame 12 and faced toward one another. Accordingly, thersash lfi may be considered as having a slidingv pivotal-connection at its upper end to the window 3 frame 12, so that when the sash is in its closed position, the trunions 28 will be disposed in the position shown in Figure 5, at the upper ends of the guide channel, while when the sash is open, said trunnions will slide downwardly within the guide channels, to cause the upper end of the sash to be correspondingly shifted downwardly (see Figure 6).

Fixedly secured to the opposite sides of the window frame 12 are screen retainer bars or guides 32, these being disposed inside the window, so as not to interfere with outward and inward swinging movement of the window sash. The screens that would be normally engaged in the retainers 32 have not been illustrated, but it will be understood that they would be able to be slidably adjusted upwardly and downwardly to open and closed position within said containers. 7 I

Sash support arms 34 are disposed at opposite sides of the window frame, and are pivotally connected at one end, at 36, to the opposite sides of the sash 16, substantially medially between the upper and lower ends of the sash. The arms 34 at their other ends 'are connected at 38 to the window frame 12, and spacer sleeves 40 (Figure 3) can be interposed between the arms 34 and the window frame to properly locate the arms 34 inwardly from the window frame where they will swing without interference from the window frame.

Secured fixedly to and projecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the window frame, are brackets 42, the

purpose of which will be made presently apparent.

An awning assembly includes elongated awning arms 44 at opposite sides of the window frame, pivotally connected at 46 at their inner ends to brackets 48 secured to the window frame. At their outer ends, arms 44 have inwardly turned, laterally extensions 50 adapted to extend into a forwardly opening slat assembly casing 52 recessed in the structure S above the window frame.

Normally closing the open front of the casing 52 is an outwardly swingable door 54 hinged at 56 at its upper edge to the opposite ends of the casing 52.

Depending from the top wall of the casing 52, at opposite ends thereof are angle brackets 58 (Figure 7), re

ceiving pins extending through sleeve-like formations 59 provided upon the upper ends of elongated, accordionfolded springs 64 The springs 60, in their folded condition, have flattened, vertically aligned convolutions (see Figure 4), said convolutions being closely spaced from one another so as to recess the springs entirely within the casing 52. When extended, the springs have a zigzag shape as shown in Figures 6 and 8, with the springs extending in .an inclined path downwardly, outwardly from the casing 52. The springs at their lower ends are connected pivotally to the lateral extensions 59 of the awning arms 44, by means of pins 61.

Riveted or otherwise secured to alternate fold portions or convolutions of the spring 60 are the ends of metallic slats 62, said slats in cross section appearing as in Figure 4, with the slats having one longitudinal edge turned upwardly and the other downwardly so as to assure maximum protection against the sun, rain, etc. .When the springs are extended as shown in Figure 6, the slats, are in overlapping relation, while still providing for maximum ventilation through the slat assembly.

Means is incorporated in the construction to effect automatically opening and closing of the casing door 54, responsive to extension or retraction of the slide assembly constituted by the spring 60 and slats 62. Said means includes pins 64 secured to the uppermost convolutions of the respective springs (Figure 8), and sleeved on said pins are the inner ends of door-opening bars 66 axially twisted intermediate their. ends as shown in Figure '7, and pivotally connected at their upper ends, as at 63, to the door 54.

By reason of this arrangement, it will be seen that when the slat assembly is extended, the uppermost conlapsed relationship.

, 4 volutions of springs will be open, and this will exert outward pressure on the door-opening arms 66, causing said arms to swing the door 54 open as shown in Figure 6.

In use, the awning and window will normally appear as in Figure 5. Assuming that the window is opened, the window will swing outwardly, with its upper end pivoting within the guide 30, and at the same time sliding downwardly within said guide. The window sash 16 will thus pivot about the axis of its connection 36 to the arms 34, and said arms will swing outwardly to the Figure6 position. i

When the upper end of the window moves downwardly, it will exert a downward pull on the links 26, and this will be translated into outward swinging movement of the lower ends of said links 26. This will in turn result in outward swinging movement of the awning arms 44. As a result, the upper ends of the awning arms will move out of the casing 52, and will extend the slide assembly by unfolding the springs 60. At the same time, the unfolding of the springs results in opening of the door 54 in the manner previously de scribed.

When the window sash is swung to closed position, of course, the operation will be completely reversed, the

springs contracting and ultimately effecting the comlinks, sash l6 and arms 34 all swinging back against the building structure, into parallel, closely spaced, col- If desired, the window can be opened or closed without extending and retracting the awning. Further, the

awning can be opened or closed without opening of the window. This is achieved by disconnecting links 26 from brackets 22 by removal of the pins 24. Under these circumstances, the window can be opened and closed without extending and retracting the awning, the awning being left in retracted position. Further, if it is desired to extend the awning without causing its extension and retraction to depend upon opening and closing of the window, the links 26 can be pinned to the bracket 42 for the purpose of maintaining the awning in an extended position. 7 V V in Figures 9 and 10 there is shown a modified con-. struction, wherein the awning is extendable and retractable manually, rather than responsive to opening and closing of the window. In this instance, the invention has been shown incorporated in a window of the double-hung type designated generally at 70. The window 79 includes double-hung sashes 72, 74, and above the sashes there is recessed in the building wall a slide assembly casing 76 in which is normally folded a slat assembly 78 formed similarly to that shown in Figure 8.

The awning arms 80 have lateral extensions 82 pivotally connected to the outer end of the slat assembly,

and said awning arms, at their inner ends, are pivotally connected at 84 to brackets projecting outwardly from the building wall or window frame.

Links 86 are pivotally connected at 88 to the arms 86, intermediate the ends of the arms 80, and normally hang free from the arms 84) when the awning is collapsed, as shown in Figure 9. When, however, the awning is extended, the links are swung upwardly and are connected to brackets 96, so as to hold the awning in extended position.

It will be understood that the door 54, and the means for opening and closing the same responsive to extension or retraction of the awning, can be and generally would be embodied in the form of the invention shown in Figures 9 and 10. M

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use of uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to-be necessarily limited to thespecific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An extensible awning for mounting in shielding relation to an opening in a building wall, comprising: a pair of awning arms pivoted upon the wall at one end at opposite sides of said opening for swinging of said arms toward and away from the wall; and a foldable slat assembly comprising accordion-folded, contractile springs each convolution of which is formed with a pair of straight, flat first and second portions, the first portions of the several convolutions being parallel to one another and the second portions also being parallel to each other in both the contracted and extended conditions of the spring, and slats connected between the springs, said slats being disposed in overlying, face-to-face relation to and being secured to said first portions of the springs.

2. An extensible awning for mounting in shielding relation to an opening in a building wall, comprising: a pair of awning arms pivoted at one end upon the wall at opposite sides of said opening for swinging of said arms toward and away from the wall; an open front casing mounted'on said wall above the opening; a foldable slat assembly comprising accordion-folded, contractile springs connected between the other ends of the respective arms and the top wall of said casing, and slats extending between and connected to alternate folds of said springs, said assembly being retracted wholly within the casing on swinging of the arms toward the wall; a door hinged to and normally closing the open front of the casing; and a link pivotally connected between the spring and door for biasing the door to open and closed positions respectively, responsive to extension and contraction of said spring, said spring being connected to the link intermediate the ends of the spring and the link being connected to the door in spaced relation to the hinge axis of the door, said spring in its contracted condition shifting the link to a position closing the door, and in its expanded condition shifting the link outwardly from the casing and about the axes of the pivotal connections of the link to the door and spring respectively to swing the door to open position.

3. An extensible awning for mounting in shielding relation to an opening in a building wall, comprising; in combination with a window sash mounted in said opening to swing outwardly from the wall to an open position: a pair of awning arms pivoted at one end upon the wall at opposite sides of said opening for swinging of said arms toward and away from the wall; a collapsible slat assembly connected between the other ends of the respective arms and said wall, said assembly being ex tended and retracted responsive to swinging of the arms away from and toward the wall respectively; and links pivotally connected between said sash and awning arms and exerting outward pressure on said arms responsive to outward swinging movement of the sash.

4. An extensible awning for mounting in shielding relation to an opening in a building Wall, comprising, in combination with a window sash connected at its upper end to said wall for pivotal and sliding movement upon the wall: a pair of awning arms pivoted upon the wall at one end at opposite sides of said opening for swinging of said arms toward and away from the wall; a collapsible slat assembly connected between the other ends of the respective arms and said wall, said assembly being extended and retracted responsive to swinging of the arms away from and toward the wall, respectively; and links pivotally connected between the upper end of said sash and the intermediate portions of the awning arms, to exert outward pressure on said arms responsive to swinging of the sash outwardly from the wall and sliding of the sash upon the wall.

5. An extensible awning for mounting in shielding relation to an opening in a building wall, comprising, in combination with a window sash connected at its upper end to said wall for pivotal and sliding movement upon the wall: a pair of awning arms pivoted upon the wall at one end at opposite sides of said opening for swinging of said arms toward and away from the wall; a collapsible slat assembly connected between the other ends of the respective arms and said wall, said assembly being extended and retracted responsive to swinging of the arms away from and toward the wall, respectively; and links pivotally connected between the upper end of said sash and the intermediate portions of the awning arms, to exert outward pressure on said arms responsive to swinging of the sash outwardly from the wall and sliding of the sash upon the wall, the pivotal connections of said lengths to the sash being separable, to permit swinging of the sash and awning arm independently of one another at the option of the user.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,233,515 Burke Mar. 4, 1941 2,707,992 Stollman May 10, 1955 2,755,082 DAzzo July 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 270,851 Great Britain May 19, 1927 711,458 Great Britain June 30, 1954 

